Suffolk County Council (SCC) and Bouygues Energies & Services (Bouygues E&S) have started work replacing 43,400 street lighting lanterns in Suffolk with LED lanterns.
The pictures show the team installing some of the first lanterns on Bergamot Close, Red Lodge on Friday, 10th September.
SCC and Bouygues E&S joined forces to create a flagship partnership with the aim of reducing energy, minimising light pollution, bringing down ongoing maintenance costs for the Authority and providing the best value to residents. SCC expects to reduce its annual electricity costs on these assets by around 76 percent, saving more than 1.7 million pounds a year.
The upgrade of the lighting system will include a further rollout of SCC’s central management system which will allow lights to be switched on or off and dim individual or groups of lights. This smart technology will increase the control the Authority has over its power consumption which will further reduce costs. The system will also automatically flag any lights that are not working which reduces the need for night-time inspections.
The Street Lighting LED Upgrade contract commenced in May 2021 and the scope of works includes:
* Survey
* Design to latest British and European Standards
* Supply and installation of new LED Street Lighting with wireless control system
* Removal of existing luminaires
* Updating inventory
* Verification
All roles are being advertised locally to Suffolk and social value activities undertaken throughout the period of the contract will include volunteering days, tree planting and presentations to local school children.
Bouygues Energies & Services Sales Director, Matt Fitzpatrick said: “After a successful mobilisation period, where local people from within Suffolk make up the majority of our new team, we are excited about starting this large-scale LED street lighting upgrade and being a pivotal partner for the Authority in reducing its carbon emissions.”
Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Ipswich, Operational Highways and Flooding, Cllr Paul West said:
“After many months of planning by Suffolk County Council and Bouygues Energies & Services teams, I am pleased to see that the huge task to upgrade the 43,400 street lighting lanterns is underway.
Starting in the west of the county, I had the pleasure of seeing the teams install some of the first lanterns in Bergamot Close, Red Lodge. I very much look forward to seeing the project progress over the coming months and await the positive environmental results upon completion.
I encourage everyone to follow the project updates via Suffolk Highways twitter: @Suff_highways.”
